Aston Villa and Club Brugge will go head-to-head in the second-leg of their Champions League last 16 clash on Wednesday night at Villa Park, with both teams being aware of what is needed to progress to the quarter-finals.
Unai Emery's side claimed a big 3-1 win in the first leg in Belgium thanks to a late own goal and a Marco Asensio penalty, before claiming a 1-0 win over Brentford in the Premier League this past weekend. Nicky Hayen's side on the other hand bounced back from the disappointing first-leg defeat with a 3-1 win in their local derby against Cercle Brugge to move nine points behind Genk.
Both teams are aware of what is needed to progress to the next round and that means the managers will have some big decisions to make, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the teams to line up.
Aston Villa Team News
Martinez and Asensio face late checks
Emiliano Martinez
Villa claimed a big win at the weekend despite being without first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and in-form forward Marco Asensio, who were both struggling with muscle pain.
But the club are hopeful they can both return, while Amadou Onana could be in contention for a place on the bench after returning to training in recent times. Ross Barkley, however, remains out until after the international break at least. Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia are both ineligible.
Aston Villa Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Donyell Malen
Andres Garcia
Ross Barkley
Amadou Onana
Marco Asensio
Emi Martinez
Emery Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Emery shared an update on his squad for the game.
“They [Martinez and Asensio] are both in the squad.
“Onana as well is coming back in the squad, Barkley is not. Malen and Andrés aren’t.
“And other players I think are in the squad. Of course, hopefully we can have all players available to play.”
Aston Villa Predicted XI
Pau Torres to return
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery
Aston Villa Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Bailey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins.
Aston Villa Predicted Substitutes: Zych (GK), Olsen (GK), Disasi (DEF), Mings (DEF), Maatsen (DEF), Bogarde (DEF), Kamara (MID), Onana (MID), Ramsey (MID), Asensio (FWD).
With Pau Torres available again Emery is likely to go with the Spaniard in defence, with Matty Cash coming in at right-back for a slightly more offensive team. Marcus Rashford was benched at the weekend but could come back into the side in attack, while big-earner Asensio is unlikely to be risked if not 100% fit meaning he joins Onana and Kamara on the bench.
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Club Brugge Team News
Joaquin Seys ruled out
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen
Brugge were arguably the better team in the first leg for large parts but come into this game knowing they need to win by three goals to progress to the next round.
They will have to do so without first-choice right-back Joaquin Seys and Bjorn Meijer, but Hayen has plenty of options to choose from beyond that with no other absentees.
Club Brugge Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Bjorn Meijer
Joaquin Seys
Hayen Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Hayen shared this thoughts ahead of the game.
"A lot of people don't give us a chance anymore. If we didn't believe in it anymore, we shouldn't be here. We've already presented ourselves well in this Champions League and that gives us confidence. I haven't looked at the dates of the quarter-finals yet. They are further away than after that home match against Atalanta. Maybe we can be more efficient again now. Like on Sunday against Cercle Brugge. The competition is also important. We have a 12.5 percent chance, or 5 percent, or... that can go up or down every minute. Against Atalanta it was 25 percent, now it's 12.5 percent."
Club Brugge Predicted XI
Brugges to go unchanged
Chemsdine Talbi Club Brugge
Club Brugge Predicted XI: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla.
Club Brugge Predicted Substitutes: De Corte (GK), Jackers (GK), Spileers (DEF), Siquet (DEF), Vetlesen (MID), Romero (MID), Nielsen (MID), Campbell (FWD), Nilsson (FWD), Skoras (FWD), Vermant (FWD).
Brugges have had a great performance in the two games against Aston Villa this season, and so Hayen is likely to go with what he sees as his strongest available lineup in the hope of getting a surprise result.
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